Cyclone Yaas: PM Modi announces Rs 500 cr immediate assistance for Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced an immediate assistance of Rs 500 crore for Cyclone Yaas-affected areas of Odisha.

The PM announced an overall financial assistance of Rs 1000 crore for immediate relief activities, out of which Rs 500 crore would be immediately given to Odisha while another Rs 500 crore has been announced for West Bengal and Jharkhand, which will be released on the basis of the damage.

He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the seriously injured ones in the cyclone.

Modi today visited Odisha and West Bengal to review the situation arising out of Cyclone Yaas. He undertook an aerial survey of the cyclone affected areas in Bhadrak and Balasore districts of Odisha, and Purba Medinipur in West Bengal.

In Bhubaneswar, the Prime Minister chaired a meeting to review the relief and rehabilitation measures being undertaken. The Prime Minister was briefed that maximum damage due to Cyclone Yaas happened in Odisha, and some parts of West Bengal and Jharkhand have also been affected.

The Union Government will deploy an inter-ministerial team to visit the states to assess the extent of damage, based on which further assistance will be given.

The Prime Minister assured the people of Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand that the Union Government would closely work with the State Governments at this difficult time, extend all possible assistance for restoration and rebuilding of the infrastructure in the affected areas.

The PM said that we have to continue the focus towards more scientific management of disasters. As the frequency and impact of cyclonic systems are increasing in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, communication systems, mitigation efforts and preparedness have to undergo a major change. He also spoke about the importance of building trust among people for better cooperation in relief efforts.

Modi appreciated the preparedness and disaster management activities by the Government of Odisha which has resulted in minimal loss of lives. He also noted that the state has embarked on long term mitigation efforts for dealing with such natural disasters.